Pune FC striker Prakash Thorat earned a unique distinction when he started in the AFC Cup encounter against Nay Pyi Taw FC at the Paung Laung Stadium, Myanmar.<\/p>\n
In doing so, the city born lad became the first Pune player to play in the continental championship.<\/p>\n
The opportunity on Tuesday, 8th April 2014 was Prakash\u2019s second start for Pune FC, after making his debut in the 2013 Durand Cup in New Delhi.<\/p>\n
Prakash said; \u201cThe feeling was terrific. I never expected it, but heart of heart I knew that my hard work will be rewarded\u2026 it was just a matter of time. Figuring in an AFC Cup\u2026 To be honest, I did not expect.\u201d<\/p>\n
Prakash, has so far, logged a total of five appearances in all competitions for Pune FC this season.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was the fourth striker recruited in the squad and all the while I wondered when my chance would come. However, I stuck to my job of practicing hard. Never missed practice and when on the pitch always put in my best.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring the pre-match practice, Coach Mike Snoei mentioned to me that I have been working hard over the past four to five months, including times when the team was away, before telling me the big news that I was playing.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
For the record, Prakash, who is Pune FC\u2019s third city-born player to figure in the senior squad, went on to log full 90-minutes and almost got on the score-sheet late in the game, but was denied by the opponent goalkeeper who saved his header from point-blank range.<\/p>\n
\u201cHonestly, I felt a lot of pressure when I was told that I will start. I had not played for a long time and thoughts ran amok in my mind. But then Coach (Mike Snoei) assured me; don\u2019t worry. Just go out and play and I\u2019ll direct.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe standard was higher than expected overall. It took a while to settle but then I enjoyed the game.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce on the field I was confident and felt I could score as well, but then I told myself to be content with what was on hand and went about my job focusing overall.\u201d<\/p>\n
Having played out a historic personal first for both himself as well as Pune FC and the city, Prakash is composed. \u201cI am feeling nice to be part of the team now. I would want like to do more for the team, but I know I have to be patient,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Pune FC striker Prakash Thorat earned a unique distinction when he started in the AFC Cup encounter against Nay Pyi Taw FC at the Paung Laung Stadium, Myanmar.<\/p>\n
In doing so, the city born lad became the first Pune player to play in the continental championship.<\/p>\n
The opportunity on Tuesday, 8th April 2014 was Prakash\u2019s second start for Pune FC, after making his debut in the 2013 Durand Cup in New Delhi.<\/p>\n
Prakash said; \u201cThe feeling was terrific. I never expected it, but heart of heart I knew that my hard work will be rewarded\u2026 it was just a matter of time. Figuring in an AFC Cup\u2026 To be honest, I did not expect.\u201d<\/p>\n
Prakash, has so far, logged a total of five appearances in all competitions for Pune FC this season.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was the fourth striker recruited in the squad and all the while I wondered when my chance would come. However, I stuck to my job of practicing hard. Never missed practice and when on the pitch always put in my best.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring the pre-match practice, Coach Mike Snoei mentioned to me that I have been working hard over the past four to five months, including times when the team was away, before telling me the big news that I was playing.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[50],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19176","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-isn-front-stories"],"yoast_head":"\n